News & Updates

December 1, 2023 Issue

High-Speed Rail: Should Dallas to Fort Worth be Texas’ First Route?

dallasnews.com

As congestion and accidents plague our roadways, innovative transportation solutions are key to sustaining our region’s rapid growth. Though it seems utopian in Texas, high-speed rail could be a huge boon for the state if implemented strategically.

That’s why a preliminary plan for a high-speed rail between downtown Dallas and downtown Fort Worth deserves more attention even as it raises questions about its viability and the level of public disclosure surrounding the planning.

The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), the regional body that advises on mobility, has been quietly chugging along on a plan for a high-speed rail corridor between Dallas and Fort Worth since spring 2020. This project is separate from the Dallas to Houston high-speed rail line that was going to be built by the private company Texas Central.

The plan is still in early stages but could affect residents in West Dallas, land near Reunion Tower and the new convention center development. The status of the Dallas to Houston project is uncertain at best, and without that extension, the Dallas to Fort Worth project may end up being an expensive solution to a traffic jam on Interstate 30.

Know Before You Go: A KERA Guide to DFW Airport

keranews.org

So, you’re taking a flight out of state or maybe you’re going on a vacation overseas. There’s a good chance you’ll be passing through Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, the global gateway for North Texas.

DFW is the world’s second largest airport with more than 250 nonstop destinations and 63 international destinations. The sprawling travel hub covers more than 26 square miles and operates like a city, with its own ZIP code, police and fire departments.

More than 72 million passengers traveled through the airport’s halls in 2022. That fact alone can make it sound complicated and maybe even a little intimidating.

...

Travelers can also get to the airport by public transit. From Dallas, you can take Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s light rail system directly to the airport. The Orange Line goes directly to the airport from Plano.

If you’re traveling from Tarrant County, the TEXRail goes directly to terminal B from downtown Fort Worth. The Trinity Railway Express also has a stop just south of the airport with shuttle service every 20-40 minutes to Terminal B.

Transit Briefs: Claymont Transportation Center, NYMTA, DART

railwayage.com

DART recently announced that two holiday trains will travel throughout the agency’s 700-mile service area, beginning Nov. 24. Each car is wrapped with a festive theme and illuminated with hundreds of twinkling lights.

The holiday trains will make regularly scheduled stops at each station along their route each evening.

Need to Work Off that Pumpkin Pie? Fort Worth Bike Sharing Offers Free Rides

fortworthbusiness.com

What better way to work off that Thanksgiving feast or keep the kids or guests busy than exploring Fort Worth on two wheels – for free! North Texas Healthy Communities (NTHC) and Fort Worth Bike Sharing are showing their gratitude to the community by offering free Bike Sharing bike rentals during the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Free First Fri-YAY program normally provides free rides on the first Friday of every month but is adding two extra days in conjunction with Trinity Metro’s 40th Anniversary.

Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin are Home to Texas’ Most Congested Roadways

communityimpact.com

Road congestion in some of Texas’ largest metropolitan areas cost drivers over $1.2 billion in 2022, according to a new report from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute.

The state’s 10 most congested roadways were located in Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin, the report states. Across Texas, researchers found that traffic delays were 7% longer in 2022 than 2021.

Each year, the TTI measures congestion on over 2,100 road segments, or about 10,000 miles of Texas roads. The Texas Legislature directed the TTI to begin conducting the annual study in 2009 due to growing urban road congestion.

TTI Report

DART to Host Public Hearing on Service Changes Proposed for 2024

wfaa.com

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has scheduled a public hearing to receive comments on a series of major bus, rail and GoLink service changes proposed for 2024.

The changes proposed for next year may impact riders in Dallas, Irving, Plano, Richardson, Addison, and Garland.

According to its website, DART is looking to put those changes into effect in June and September 2024. Information on the proposals themselves is not available at this time.

Allen City Council Parners with DCTA for On-Demand Transportation Services

hoodline.com

The Allen City Council has recently authorized a new agreement with the Denton County Transit Authority (DCTA) to offer on-demand transportation services for individuals over 65 or with disabilities.

Amtrak Fiscal Year 2023: Ridership Exceeds Expectations as Demand for Passenger Rail Soars

media.amtrak.com

Amtrak continued its strong growth in Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) as the company resumed service on all routes and advanced major infrastructure projects that will support plans to double ridership by 2040. In FY23, more than 28 million customers rode Amtrak nationwide, fueled in part by significant growth on the Northeast Corridor (NEC), where ridership is booming and consistently exceeding pre-pandemic levels since early summer.

“Amtrak ridership continues to set post-pandemic records thanks to our customers who were anxious to travel again and attracted to the many benefits of train travel. This resurgence was made possible by our dedicated employees, our many state and host railroad partners, and ongoing support from the Biden Administration and Congress,” said Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner. “We’re inspired by the soaring demand for intercity passenger rail and are eager to continue connecting more people and places.”

...

Submitted four Corridor ID grant applications to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to study new intercity passenger service in New York and Texas, as well as more frequent Cardinal and Sunset Limited Long Distance service.

...

Announced that Texas Central and Amtrak are evaluating a potential partnership to further study and potentially advance a proposed 205-mph high-speed rail project between Dallas and Houston.

Transit Coalition of North Texas

TransitNorthTexas.org